Abstract:
This study focussed on exploring the awareness of security threats associated with short message Service (SMS) and protective measures against SMS security threats amongst students at the University of Namibia (UNAM). Preliminary interviews with six (6) students with different demographics, informed the design of a survey of students’ encounters with, perception of and responses to SMS security threats. Two hundred and eighty-seven (287) students registered at UNAM’s twelve (12) campuses countrywide in the 2019 academic year responded to a questionnaire that comprised of forty questions/sub-questions about participants’ demographics, experiences and perspectives on security threats associated with the use of SMS. Data were analysed using descriptive and correlation statistics and structural equation models. Participants had some awareness of SMS security threats and used basic security measures such as passcodes, patterns, and biometric access. However, most did not have extensive knowledge of the types of fraudulent activities such as phishing, DoS attacks, relay attacks, and spamming, nor were they aware of protective measures to counter these threats. Only 4% of participants had installed antivirus software on their phones. Junior students comprised 77.7% of participants, which might explain the overall low awareness. Participants indicated that some organisations such as Namibian banks promoted their awareness of security threats, and they thus suggested that the university should run awareness programmes and campaigns. Based on insights about participant demographics and relationships to the university, recommendations were made about how a university might increase students’ awareness of some protective measures. These include integrating a compulsory course on cyber security awareness into the university’s curriculum
